SHARP

• Sexual Assault Resources
• Contact Your Area SARC 24/7
• Hotline: 158
• DSN: (315) 763-5700
• Commercial: 0503-363-5700
• CONUS: 011-82-503-363-5700
• Website: www.sexualassault.army.mil

Sexual assault has no place in the Army. Allegations of sexual assault must be investigated promptly and impartially and resolved expeditiously. Commanders and leaders at all levels are responsible for providing a safe and healthy environment for those in their charge. This responsibility requires leaders to take action to prevent sexual assault, protect and support victims, and hold offenders accountable by taking all appropriate administrative and judicial actions based on the facts and circumstances of each case.

MISSION

The Army is committed to training leaders and Soldiers in this highly sensitive area. Progressive, sequential, and tailored training is the key to eliminating a climate that fosters sexual assault and hinders reporting. In Korea, training on the prevention of sexual assault will be part of in-processing, annual unit training, and leader development and professional military education programs. In addition to this training, the Army plans to direct that each battalion appoint at least two unit victim advocates (UVAs) to provide support to victims throughout the medical, investigative, and judicial processes when it releases the new edition of AR 600-20.

Commanders and leaders can influence many of these factors through proactive preventive measures and education. As an example, commanders can provide rape prevention and alcohol-awareness training, implement a more stringent barracks policy, and increase the presence of unit leadership during high-risk periods.

Victims deserve professional, competent, and compassionate assistance. Again, assistance must be made available to the victim immediately after an allegation is made, regardless of the status of the criminal or command investigation.

Commanders must ensure that victims are aware of the support services available in the command and community to help them through their difficult ordeal. These services include, but are not limited to, those available from law enforcement officials, medical providers (social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists), judge advocates, chaplains, UVAs, community victim advocates (CVAs), and sexual assault response coordinators (SARCs). The CVAs and SARCs will be embedded in Army Community Service and work under the auspices of the Family Advocacy Program in our communities. The SARCs will oversee local implementation of the Army’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. The CVAs, like the UVAs, are available to help victims and provide support throughout the medical, investigative, and judicial processes. In garrison, Soldiers will have the option of seeking assistance from the UVA or CVA based on personal preference.

The prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment are a top priority for Eighth Army. We must do everything in our power to eradicate this heinous criminal conduct from taking place in our formations, workplaces and communities. Sexual assault and sexual harassment detract from our mission, compromise our force readiness, and cause irreparable harm to our profession. More importantly, they lessen America's trust in our ability to keep our sons and daughters safe. As members of the Eighth Army family we will commit ourselves to speak up and make our voices heard to prevent and defeat this insider threat.